Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-04
I'd EDITION.
--latest TGlegIanS to The Star.

NOT A BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.
The Tories Decline to Consider the
Times Attack on Mr. Dillon as Such.
hut Will Begin Suit Against the Paper
for Libel.
LONDON, May 4.-The Right Honorable W. H.
Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, announced in
the House OF Commons this afternoon that the
government had resolved that the allegation that
the statement by the London Times that Mr.. Dill
Ion told falSehOOd while denying in the House Of
commons that papers utterances concerning his
alleged ntge1,,o relations with sheridan, the
WAS not was sustained preach BY pPpe stydes
Continuing, Mr. smith said it would be against the
dignity OF the house 10 summon the Times TO the
par Without previously lnqulring into the circum-
stances. The gentlemen below The gangway, MIR.
smith added, asked that a select committee be
constltu!ed 10 inquire forthwith into the allega-
lions OF the Times.
THE PRACTICE OF THE HOUSE
Hau Deen 10 dveSt itself as far as possible OF judi
clai duty. The government thought such a COM
mlttee as was asked for would be untitled to con-
SUIT sucn grave questions as would have TO De re-
ieile9 10 IL Tor decision. The government, feeling
IL 10 pc their duty to endeavor to solve the ques-
lioL uao instructed the attorney general ana Scn
others as he cared to associate With him to prose-
cute the Times for libel on Mr.. Dillon, who was at
nDe dy 10 select such counsel as he saw fit. In
conclusion, Mr.. Smith urged the house to accept
the course proposed
MI t. p. O'Connor condemned the governments
proposal He said he commiserated the govern
ton Their proposal was really for collusive
action at law made by the valOr OF libel. Mr.
oConnor here produced copy of the Times, con
tanning the libel on Mr.. Dillon, and, hourishing
IL aiolt, ne said: 81 purchased this copy OF the
I'm times at one OF the stalls owned by the Right
Hon. FIRST Lord OF the Treasury. 1t is he,
speaking LOT the government, who says no breach
Oh privilege was committed Qrlsh cheers.) He is,
therefore, deeply interested party in the case
to Be- IN the Hs dock e The M
member reject his proposal as unfair, unjust and
unprecedented. The house OF commons ought not
ODE taken In by cOllusve action
Here MIR. DeLisle, conservative member for Mid
Ole LelceStershlre arose to a point OF order He
SAID ne had heard MIR. Tanner, home ruler, men,
Der IOr Mlddle Cork, say the conservatives were
,,. A DAMNED LOT OF CABS"
irish vOiceS-''SO you are!"
Speaker Peel-"The clerk OF the house will please
see that the words are taken down."
MI. Tanner denied that he had used the word
damned" He repeated, however, that the con-
servatives We're a lot OF cads. The speaker said
ne mn uS ssaG the TN 5 and pog
non Harcourt denounced the governments pro-
posal.
Sir Edward Clarke solicitor general, moved an
amendment to the governments proposal to the
effect that the house did not consider the Times
statements concerning Mr.. Dillon breach Of
amendment, Sir Edward declared that there
was no record of parliament having
committed man to custody for breach Of privii-
legged to be. He added that he and the Attorney
General were responsible for the advice on which
the Government mad acted. He proposed TO con-
nne himself TO the legal points of the case, regard
less OF party politics. He
THEN QUOTED PRECEDENTs
TO show that the house was not the proper tribu-
nal to deal with such matters. No conception had
been alleged OF a member. nor had any contempt OF
the house been exhibited such as had constituted
the Of1ense in previous cases where breach OF priv
1iege had been committed. The course OF the pros
ecut0n, the solicitOrgenera said would be left to
SUCH persons as the Irish members might noni-
nate. both counsel and solicitors. II the govern
ment We're asked TO appoint them, they would in
terpOSe no objection.
In conclusion, Sir Edward slightly modified his
amendment, making it read that the House de-
clines to treat the Times publication as breach
OF privilege.